98th SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EuFMD COMMISSION 98TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EUFMD COMMISSION
PARIS 3-4 OCTOBER 2019 PARIS 3 - 4TH OCTOBER 2019 RD
Report of the 98th Session of the Executive Committee The Session was opened by Dr Martin Blake, Chairman of the Commission, who thanked the OIE for offering to host the Session and all the participants for their willingness to give time to the work of the Session. He gave the floor to the Deputy Director General (DDG) of OIE, Dr Jean-Philippe Dop, and to Dr Charles Martins, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the host country. In his welcome address, Dr Dop highlighted the growing areas of collaboration between OIE and EuFMD, and the success of recent work together on joint training courses, the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative, and in support of the GF-TADs Global Strategy. As OIE plans to develop its e-learning capacity, it will look to the EuFMD, who have lead the way in this field, for expertise and guidance. In the area of emergency preparedness, the OIE respects the work and knowledge of EuFMD and is glad to collaborate in planning a simulation exercise to test international preparedness for disease crises. OIE was pleased to host the Session at its Headquarters for the first time, in over 60 years, and he hoped, not the last. On behalf of France, Dr Charles Martins welcomed the members of the Executive, and observers from FAO, OIE, and EC, and re-iterated France’s support for the work of the Commission. France considers foot-and-mouth disease is an ever present threat to livestock agriculture. Because of France’s position, it is believed to be at risk of other transboundary diseases from the European neighbourhood, and from the changing climate. France appreciated the direct support provided by EuFMD through the training programme, and through its technical work supporting surveillance, not least with ANSES, and with CIRAD. The collaboration on emergency preparedness is most important and France remains interested in the use of models developed by EuFMD. Dr Martins confirmed full support of the role Stephan Zientara will play as the Chair of the Standing Technical Committee (STC), and trusts that the funds provided in 2019 to support surveillance and better control of FAST diseases in REMESA, will assist to ensure the HOLD-FAST strategy is able to make a good start in this vital area. Officers of the Commission present at the Session were: Dr Martin Blake (MB, Ireland, President), Drs Jean-Luc Angot (JLA, France, Vice-President), and Lajos Bognar (LB, Hungary, Vice-President). Executive Committee members present were Drs Hendrik Jan Roest (HJR, The Netherlands), Valentin Almansa (VA, Spain), Olev Kalda (OK, Estonia) and Nihat Pakdil (NP, Turkey). Apologies were sent by Drs Zoran Atanasov (North Macedonia), and Chrysoula Dile (Greece). International organizations observers were Drs Alf-Eckbert Füssel (AEF, DG-SANTE, European Commission), Juan Lubroth (JL, CVO-FAO), and Neo Mapitse (NM, OIE). The fourth official observer organisation, OECD, was unable to send an Observer. Reference Centres were represented by Drs Don King, for the WRL-FMD at The Pirbright Institute (TPI), and Labib Bakkali-Kassimi, for the EURL-FMD at ANSES. Dr Stephan Zientara (SZ), attended as Chair of the Standing Technical Committee. Dr AbdulNaci Bulut also participated as advisor to Dr Pakdil (NB, Turkey). Secretariat for the 98th Executive Committee Session comprised Drs Keith Sumption (KS, EuFMD Executive Secretary), Fabrizio Rosso (FR, Deputy Officer to the Executive Secretary), Maria de la Puente Arévalo (MP, Pillar I coordinator), MN Cecile Carraz (CC, Work Plan Coordinator) and Nadia Rumich (NR, Communication and Networks Officer).
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